1883-S VAM-14

Description

Discovered in 2017, the 1883-S VAM-14 Morgan Dollar is classified III2 2 - C3e for Doubled 18-3, S Set Very High and Left. The obverse (III2 2) shows the left 8 with a die chip between the loops on the right side, and a single horizontal polishing line below the cap fold serves as the primary die marker. This represents a later die state than the 1883-S VAM-3, establishing a sequential relationship between the two listings. The reverse (C3e) features a Type IV S mintmark set exceptionally high and far to the left of its standard position — a dramatic mintmark misplacement that reflects the manual process of hand-punching mintmarks into individual working dies at the San Francisco Mint. During this era, mintmarks were individually applied using a letter punch and hammer, and the variation in position from die to die provides each variety its distinctive character. The doubling on digits 1, 8, and 3 of the date, combined with the extreme mintmark placement, gives this variety two strong attribution points. The 1883-S Morgan Dollar was struck at the San Francisco Mint, established during the California Gold Rush and now primarily producing proof and collector coins. Production specifications are 90% silver, 10% copper, 26.73 grams, 38.1 mm diameter with a reeded edge. The 1883-S mintage of 6,250,000 is one of the lower S-mint totals in the Morgan series.

External References